Usefulness of Timed Up and Go test, Berg Balance Scale and Six Minute Walk Test as fall risk predictors in post stroke adults attending Rehabilitation Hospital Ragama

Abstract

Abstract: Stroke is a major risk factors for falls. However, there are no established practices being used to predict fall risk with Stroke patients in Sri Lankan stroke care settings. The purpose of this study is to determine the usefulness of Timed Up and Go test (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT) as fall risk predictors in post stroke individuals and to introduce cut off values to predict fall risk. 74 patients with first ever stroke during past year (mean age 56.5± 28.5, males 67.6%) recruited from the Physiotherapy Unit, Rehabilitation Hospital, Ragama; 17 (23%) had history of falls. History of falls was recorded from participants’ interview. Each participant underwent TUG, BBS and 6MWT. Scores were compared with existing cut off values. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to describe sensitivity, specificity and predictive values. Optimum cut off values for fall risk prediction were determined. There is no significant difference in the baseline characteristics between the two groups. The cut off values for fall prediction of three tests were recognized as follows; TUG ≥ 23s, p = 0.044, AUC = 0.662; BBS <45, p = 0.001, AUC = 0.773; 6MWT <193 meters, p =0.020, AUC = 0.686. The BBS performed better than TUG and 6MWT in predicting fall risk in stroke individuals. We recommend the use of physical performance tests as TUG test, BBS and 6MWT to predict fall risk and to minimize risk of falling in stroke individuals in Sri Lanka.